Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead

This book caught me from the first scene that has Lee Stone doing the morning after walk of shame through Disney World wearing a Belle costume after sleeping with a groomsman in a Disney themed wedding. After several heartbreaks in her life, Lee doesn't believe in love. So when she thinks her college boyfriend is cheating on her, she decides to get him back in the worst way by sleeping with his rival in the law program. She discovers her mistake later but it's too late and Ben is gone.

Five years later, Lee is working for a female founded and run electric vehicle company. She is ready to push forward their plan, dubbed the "green machine", to make Texas the first and largest clean energy state. But then she finds out the governor's aide she'll be working with is none other than Ben. She has to deal with her past or her dream career could go up in smoke. 

While I could see where Lee was coming from after her past relationships, I still couldn't agree with her anger and justification for what she'd done. I spent most of the book frustrated at her character and wondering why Ben even put up with her. He was definitely the best part of the book. Even when she lets him down over and over, he's always there for her when she really needs him. We all need a Ben in our lives! I like the green theme throughout the book: clean energy against big oil. And recognition for the female entrepreneurs and politicians fighting back against a male dominated government. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Shadow House by Anna Downes

Alex is a single mother escaping an abusive relationship and decides to take refuge in the seemingly idyllic ecovillage of Pine Ridge. But upon arriving at her new home,  she finds a disturbing gift on the porch.  Along with her sullen teenage son and cranky teething baby,  they settle in to the welcoming community.  But as time goes on,  some of the villagers aren't so friendly and someone seems to be threatening her and her son. Along with rumors of the past and the witch in the woods, Alex becomes more unsettled and determined to find out the truth behind the threats. Could history be repeating itself?

Alternating between the previous flower farm owner, Renee, and Alex, the chapters uncover the truth behind the original disappearance of Renee's son Gabriel and the present threats against Ollie. The spooky woods and the abandoned farmhouse overlooking the village provide the perfect ominous backdrop for this creepy story.  I didn't see that ending coming! I thought I had it all figured out but I was left guessing until the very end. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Or Else by Joe Hart

When Andy returns to his hometown to care for his father in the beginning stages of dementia,  he never expected to reconnect and begin an affair with his childhood friend Rachel, who is suffering in an emotionally abusive marriage. But shortly after Andy receives an anonymous note that says to end the affair--or else, Rachel and her two boys disappear the same night her husband is murdered. Andy knows if he comes forward with the note and truth of his affair,  he'll become the number one suspect. But why couldn't he do a little investigating of his own? After all,  he's a successful crime thriller writer. But the closer Andy gets to the truth,  the more he and his family are in danger. 

The setup of the loop neighborhood where everyone knows each other's business added to the plot of the story.  There were so many unknowns amongst the neighbors. Add to that the stress of his father's declining health and keeping secrets from the police,  the tension just kept building to an explosive conclusion. And even after the suspect is found,  there were still loose ends until the very last page. I finished this exciting thriller in one night!

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Love & Tequila Make Her Crazy by Brittanee Nicole

Nate and Amelia were always together, even as children. Nate was her protector, she was his cheerleader, bringing him back after his father's tragic death. Through her college years, supporting him while he tried to make it in Nashville. They were always meant to be together, but after another tragedy, the grieving and heartbreak cause a misunderstanding they just can't get over. Now, it's three years later, Amelia is finally starting to get over Nate and start dating again when he comes back, tattooed and hotter than ever, trying to win her back. But the problems that caused their breakup don't just magically go away…

I loved Amelia and Nate. The emotions in this book are just so real and heartbreaking. Nate's character, even with his flaws, just made me melt inside. And Amelia, fiery and feisty, was his perfect match, though she always seems to jump to the wrong conclusions. And what woman can eat that much emotional chocolate and keep her figure?! Only in fiction! Great best friend second chance romance! It can be read as a standalone, but the whole series is good.

 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Those Who Disappeared by Kevin Wignall

Foster Traherne has been alone his whole life. His mother killed herself shortly after his birth and his father disappeared during a storm on a Swiss glacier over thirty years ago. As a child Foster would imagine his father had survived and came back for him, and even thirty years later he still has hope that could happen. But when his father's body is found encased inside the glacier, that hope disappears. What's worse, during the autopsy, it's discovered that it may not have been an accident. Now Foster is on a mission to track down his father's friends and get the true story of what happened the day his father died.
While this story did contain some twists that kept me guessing, it's not exactly the action packed adventure story I was expecting. I was glad Foster finally got the truth, but the ending just seemed too anticlimactic for me.

The Oceanography of the Moon by Glendy Vanderah

Suffering from overwhelming grief over the death of her Aunt Julia, a woman closer to her than her own mother,  Riley retreats into her own mind in visions of the moon seas her Aunt taught her about.  After her mother is also killed months later,  Riley is sent to the Wisconsin countryside to live with her mother's cousin.  They try everything to help her heal, but it isn't until her cousin Kiran is born that she comes out of her shell. Now it's ten years later and Riley is starting to feel confined by the boundaries she put up that have kept her from the outside world. When a stranger appears on the farm one day, she feels an instant connection with this man and the secret pain he hides, for she feels that same pain and guilt every day. 

Vaughn Orr is a bestselling novelist living in New York that longs to see the moon and stars. He's chosen Wisconsin as the place to retreat and heal his writer's block,  but when his car runs out of gas,  he finds the enigmatic and welcoming Mays family. There's just something about Riley that draws him in and soon he can't imagine leaving.  But Vaughn is harboring a secret that could destroy everything. 

Vanderah has a unique ability of bringing out the magic of the natural world through her writing.  The characters are so vivid and realistic,  I could feel their pain. From beginning to end,  I just couldn't put this book down! I have read and loved every one of her books and I can't wait to read the next. 

Thank you to the publisher for this complimentary advance reader copy. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily. 

Notorious by Mae Thorne

It's the time of Revolutionary War in New York City and Delia Wolcott is still single, with her mother despairing that she'll become a spinster. The family is forced to house a British officer, and Lord Carrington comes to reside in what used to be Delia's favorite brother's room. Arthur was murdered with no witnesses and Delia is determined to uncover the truth and avenge his death. She becomes the infamous traitor Foxglove, helping rebel families escape the clutches of the enemy while gathering information and poisoning some of the worst British offenders. But her identity as Foxglove is at risk now that the Lord is constantly underfoot, and right next door. The worst part is that he's been assigned to find and hang Foxglove for treason. 

While the writing seemed a little choppy in some parts, overall I liked the story. The descriptions of clothing from the era, the focus on propriety at all times, the romance, the intrigue...

I loved the teasing and not so subtle innuendo between Delia and William. Despite their differences, their attraction was like a powder keg about to blow, but still William was warm and affectionate even when she was being nonsensical. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.